Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report
November 23, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Last week, the Wheeling Nailers accomplished something they hadn't achieved since the 2010-11 season - winning a season series against a team from Florida. The Nailers traveled to Estero for all three games, defeating the Everblades twice, as they continue to lead the North Division with a 9-6-1 record, good for 19 points. As has been the case in most of Wheeling's victories thus far, the offense came out in full force on both Wednesday and Friday. In Wednesday's opener, John McCarron, Harrison Ruopp, and Riley Brace all scored before the game was five minutes old, as the Nailers built a 3-0 lead. Florida rallied to make the score 3-2, but during the first five minutes of the middle frame, Zack Torquato, McCarron, and Loney upped the Wheeling advantage to 6-2. Once again, the Everblades responded, but the visitors held off the charge for the 6-5 triumph. After giving up a goal just 93 seconds into Friday's tilt, the Nailers got rolling with three goals in 6:47 from Evan Wardley, Brace, and Torquato. Torquato's second of the night and Wydo's second of the season created some insurance, and Brian Foster made a career-high 48 saves for the 5-3 victory. Despite building a 2-0 lead on Saturday with tallies by Brett Stern and Brace, Wheeling ran out of gas, as Florida found the back of the net five straight times, salvaging a 5-2 win in the finale.
The Nailers have had great success lighting the lamp in their wins, as they have scored at least four goals in eight of their nine victories thus far. Each of the three games saw at least one team post a three-goal period. Franky Palazzese and Brian Foster faced their busiest workloads of the season last week, making 31, 48, and 38 saves in the three games. Harrison Ruopp netted his first professional goal in his 90th career game on Wednesday, while Evan Wardley dented the twine for the first time as a pro in his season debut on Friday. Zack Torquato appeared in his 216th game as a Nailer on Saturday, passing Tim Roberts for third place on the all-time list. Sahir Gill collected his 100th professional point in Wednesday's series opener. On Wednesday and Friday, Wheeling scored two goals within a minute, already marking the sixth and seventh times the team has done that. Riley Brace has a four-game goal streak, and has racked up seven goals and 12 points in his last seven games, while Jarrett Burton and Sahir Gill both carry four-game point streaks into the week. Saturday's loss was the team's first when leading after one period, and when holding a lead of at least two goals. The Nailers have now completed two of their 17 season series.
This Week
Wed. 11/25 Reading Royals @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:05
Sat. 11/28 Brampton Beast @ WHEELING NAILERS, 7:35
Sun. 11/29 WHEELING NAILERS @ Reading Royals, 4:00
This week, the Wheeling Nailers will celebrate Thanksgiving by feasting on two opponents in three games, as they will play once at home and once on the road against the Reading Royals, and once at home against the Brampton Beast. Wheeling and Reading collided two weeks ago in a home-and-home series, in which both sides won their respective home games. The Royals edged the Nailers 2-1 at Santander Arena on November 11th, before Wheeling responded with a 6-1 whipping of Reading at WesBanco Arena two nights later. Last week, the Royals were swept in a home-and-home series with the Elmira Jackals, losing by identical 5-4 finals. Reading is tied with Elmira for second place in the East Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference, entering the week with an 8-6-0 record. The Nailers will play their third game of the campaign against the Beast, whom they swept 5-1 and 4-3 in a home-and-home series on October 24th and 25th. Brampton lost to Toledo and beat Fort Wayne over the weekend, and will visit the Walleye on Friday, before making its way to the Ohio Valley for Saturday. After starting the season 0-5-1, the Beast have gone 6-2-0 in their last eight games, while also acquiring former Nailer Luke Pither, who has six points in nine contests.
Upcoming Home Games/Promotions
Wed. 11/25 vs. Reading- Thanksgiving Eve, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Turkey Bowling, WesBanco Winning Wednesday, Thundersticks Giveaway (First 2,500 Fans), XTO Energy Blades for Grades
Sat. 11/28 vs. Brampton- Military Appreciation Night, Camouflage Hat Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans) Presented by Main Street Bank
Fri. 12/4 vs. South Carolina- Flat Screen Friday Presented by The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, Frosty Friday
Sat. 12/5 vs. South Carolina- Star Wars Night, Appearances by the Characters, T-Shirt Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans), Team Wears Star Wars Jerseys, Presented by OVMC & EORH, Teddy Bear Toss Night
Sun. 12/6 vs. Elmira- Family Funday, McDonald's $5 Kids Tickets, Post Game Skate With the Team (Odd Numbered Players)
Nailers Leaders
Goals: 8, Jarrett Burton & Riley Brace
Assists: 10, Riley Brace & Sahir Gill
Points: 18, Riley Brace
Penalty Minutes: 37, Harrison Ruopp
Plus/Minus: +10, Mike Gunn
Wins: 6, Franky Palazzese
Goals Against Average: 2.76, Franky Palazzese
Save Percentage: .909, Brian Foster
Shutouts: 1, Franky Palazzese
North Division Standings
1. WHEELING NAILERS 19
2. Toledo Walleye 17
3. Kalamazoo Wings 15
4. Brampton Beast 13
Download the Nailers new smartphone app presented by Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration. Available in theiTunes and Google Play Store. Use promo code "Leader" to receive 100 Nailers points.
In addition to Nailers Rewards, the app also includes:
Notifications and Alerts
News Feed containing team news, photos & videos
Interact Feed containing Nailers posts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Team Summary
Roster
Team Stats and League Standings
View Schedule & Buy Tickets
Venue Information (Map, Directions, Parking, and Seating Chart) Individual tickets, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now, with prices starting as low as $10 per seat. For tickets and more information, call the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL or online at wheelingnailers.com.
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Last Week
Wed. 11/18 WHEELING NAILERS 6 @ Florida Everblades 5
McCarron (Leen, Bakker)
Ruopp (Gill, Zlobin)
Brace (Loney, J. Burton)
Torquato (Gunn)
McCarron (Seymour)
Loney (Brace, Cianfrini)
Palazzese- 31/36
Fri. 11/20 WHEELING NAILERS 5 @ Florida Everblades 3
Wardley (J. Burton, Gill)
Brace (Stern, J. Burton)
Torquato (Cianfrini, McCarron)
Torquato (Gill, Brace)
Wydo (Wardley, McCarron)
Foster- 48/51
Sat. 11/21 WHEELING NAILERS 2 @ Florida Everblades 5
Stern (Wardley, Gill)
Brace (McCarron, J. Burton)
Foster- 38/42 (1 en)
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